Translational Research Training in Addictions: Pathways for Behavioral and Biomedical Scholars (TRACC).

This renewal proposal responds to PAR 21-320, reports on 10 years of a successful addiction research training program – Translational Research Training in Addictions: Pathways for Behavioral and Biomedical Scholars (TRACC) – designed to increase the number of early career interdisciplinary scientists interested in and capable of serving as Principal Investigators and describes the proposed extension of TRACC over the next five years. Significant gaps exist in the number of early career behavioral and biomedical scientists successfully receiving awards for independent funding (i.e., NIH, NSF, etc.), which plagues scientific research progress despite several decades of targeted efforts to address this gap. This TRACC renewal proposal directly addresses the translational addiction scientist shortage through the continuation of an innovative research training and mentoring program that reaches earlier into the career development pathway to identify multidisciplinary, talented undergraduate and medical school (BS/MD), MA- and PhD- level students from public institutions: City University of New York (CUNY), CUNY School of Medicine, and Rutgers University (RU). Trainees are provided intensive training and support that will facilitate their developmental trajectory as SUD researchers. TRACC is supported by the mentorship of committed leaders in the addiction research field at CCNY/CUNY and RU in partnership with faculty from the Division on Substance Use Disorders at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) to promote applied research training in two critically related ways. Our trainees are exposed to: (1) cutting edge science and methodologies in animal and human models of addiction through our psychiatry, psychology, and cognitive neuroscience research programs and related lab experiences and (2) critical issues in conducting community-engaged clinical trials, grounded in our expertise leading effectiveness and implementation trials of evidence-based addiction treatments in community-based settings. Overarching outcomes for TRACC trainees include: 1) obtaining knowledge about key research questions and approaches related to SUD (with an emphasis on stimulants and polysubstance use and community-engaged research); 2) conducting a SUD-related research project; 3) presenting a paper or poster at a local or national conference; 4) authoring or co-authoring a scientific journal article; 5) preparing an application for a training grant award to an APA or NIH mechanism funding program and; 6) developing research self-efficacy.